Cyclone Mora has hit Bangladesh with wind speeds of 117 kmph, and now Indian states are getting ready to face some extreme weather conditions.

Cyclone Mora formed in the east-central part of Bay of Bengal due to a depression and lashed the southeastern coasts of Bangladesh. Now, it is expected that it will move towards north-eastern parts of India. (Reuters)

Cyclone Mora has hit Bangladesh and now Indian states are getting ready to face some extreme weather conditions. The cyclone formed in the east-central part of Bay of Bengal due to a depression and lashed the southeastern coasts of Bangladesh. Now, it is expected that it will move towards north-eastern parts of India. Over the next 24 hours, it is expected that India may face ‘severe cyclonic storms’, according to an IMD report. Indian Meteorological Department said that wind speeds may reach from 100 kilometres per hour to even 150 kilometres per hour. The powerful Mora made a landfall on Tuesday between the Cox’s Bazar port and Chittagong. The cyclone hit with winds of up to 117 km/h, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Meanwhile, a major evacuation campaign has been launched in Bangladesh along its southern coastline. The Met department has issued the highest level of a warning signal in a scale of 1 to 10 for two maritime ports in the country, according to reports. Thousands of people have been evacuated to cyclone shelters. Even fishing boats and other things have been advised to be put up in shelters too. Reportedly, 3,00,000 people have already been shifted to cyclone shelters. “The people were moved out to at least 400 cyclone shelters or safer places like schools and government offices in the coastal areas,” a disaster management ministry spokesman told PTI.

(Source: IMD)

As of now, casualties have not been reported, but according to Reuters, the cyclone has caused significant damage to refugee camps for Rohingya Muslims. Additionally, many Indian states in the NE and Eastern parts, have put up warnings. Some cities have also reportedly begun to evacuate as a precautionary measure for the severe cyclone.

Here are a few points to know (according to IMD data):

1. A heavy rainfall warning has been issued in Odisha and West Bengal. Heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of Northeast India. Earlier this week, over a hundred and fifty people lost their lives in Sri Lanka due to the cyclone.

2. According to IMD, today rainfall is expected at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Assam and Meghalaya.

3. IMD said, in general, rainfall is expected at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

4. Tomorrow, rainfall is expected at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Assam and Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

5. Wind Warning: Gale winds speed reaching 60-70 km/h gusting to 80 km/h would prevail over Mizoram and Tripura on May 30. Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 km/h gusting to 65 km/h would prevail over South Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur and along and off West Bengal coast today.

6. Expected damage over Mizoram and Tripura: Damage to thatched huts. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to the breaking of branches. Major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads. Some damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.

7. Sea condition: Sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off West Bengal Coast today.

8. Fishermen Warning: Fishermen along and off West Bengal Coast are advised not to venture into the sea and those out at sea are advised to return to the coast.